A friend of mine recently joined Google and as part of his HR on-boarding was a survey on his preference of a corporate laptop — Chromebook or Mac (you needed VP approval for Windows). He laughed. Obviously, Macbook pro.

Socially accepted norm: Apple hardware is brilliant. Its trackpad alone will dance around any alternative form of pointer motion. However, this got me thinking: How soon would a Chromebook be considered a serious option?

In recent years the personal computing market has taken a back seat. The sex appeal is gone. The endless war of Macs vs. Windows OS is a chess match over ecosystem and enterprise needs. Meanwhile, hardware remains a more open field between Apple and PC going the distance on costs and aesthetics. Ironically, for most consumers, the true computing power behind hardware or software is barely touched. This is evident by the dominant trend of smartphones and tablets. End consumers do not need the full functionality of a computer.

Despite the personal computing industry experiencing an overall sharp decline in the past decade, Intel’s 2014 Q1 posted steady constant numbers with profits of $9.6 billion even with a sluggish mobile portfolio. PC sales have recently risen above expected forecasts. Thus, there remains a need for personal laptops.

However, affordable devices are not favourable for the consumer. The speed is inefficient and the touch is lacking substance. Windows OS is simply too heavy to be in an affordable container. Apple and the concept “affordable” has never gotten along. Thus, the consumer pays for an expensive case with average performance.

Side note: I will not engage in the Linux chat. Linux has never made it as a realistic mass market computing OS. Wal-mart pulled it off the shelves in 2008. Maybe it needs better branding or user education. Maybe we are too Windows trained.

Part I: Computing & I

Earlier in 2012, when I had initially read about Chromebooks, I was skeptical. Google wants an affordable Ultrabook in “cloud” form? I thought back to the netbook craze as it arrived during my second year of university in 2009. Although it was a sustainable college student purchase, the limited capabilities dissolved its merits (the death of the netbook era is well documented).

Regardless, I had a loving relationship with my netbook (Lenovo Ideapad S10-2) before the lackluster performance became a true hindrance. But what was the true root cause behind the lackluster functionality? Decay of hardware or the bulk of Windows?

Let me provide some background with my laptop devices. During my first year of business undergraduate studies, my fellow classmates and I arrived with expensive and shiny laptops. I could see that the Macbook era was starting. However, growing up on PCs along with the horrible scarring of Apple tube monitors in elementary school, I trotted lightly.

Since then, I have become very dependent on mobile driven devices. However, working purely off a smartphone remains an unnecessary punishment. I have tried multiple times struggling with the small screen keyboards and the static editing capabilities. Copy and pasting on a small touch screen is not efficient or pleasant.

My criteria for a personal device

1. Lightweight, Compact form — 11"-13" screen

2. Good hardware feel, usable trackpad & keyboard

3. CPU power vs. price (Future-poof for 2-3 years, if not future-proof, then affordability priced)

4. Operating System — I’ll throw this one in since Chrome OS is new to me. Simple to use. Straight forward components.

I expect smooth frequency of use of applications such as email, online music streaming, video play, internet browsing …read: browser, browser, browser. Most importantly, I expect the device to work smoothly — forever. Yes, I recognize that is a foolish dream as today’s technology upgrade is a battle between hardware and software (Intel’s current hyped Ilama Mountain prototype may look like a pile of scraps in 18 months.)

Yes, I am an average consumer with my laptop use.

Part II: Chromebook Today?

Chromebook OS moved necessary applications to the “cloud” and the Chrome browser is featured as the core product. It strips away the storage weight and material cost. Its original intention in 2012 was for educational purposes. Funny, I find I used more of a laptop’s functionality as a student than any of my current daily tasks. However, let’s ponder the fundamental question: what do you use your laptop for? For the average user, the browser is sufficient for most activities. With more people embracing “cloud storage” with applications such as Box, Dropbox, SkyDrive, etc., the “cloud” is no longer foreign in our daily lives.

The production build of the Chrome browser on other platforms carries heavy memory requirements, compared to Internet Explorer or even Firefox, due to its multi-processing background. Thus, having the Chromebook focused solely on the browser application has streamlined its performance capacity.

I will break down my experience with the 2013 HP Chromebook into pros and cons with both the Chrome OS and the HP hardware. The focus remains with the Chrome OS.

I will also touch base on two popular Chrome OS topics that are frequently addressed by the media: (1) Microsoft Office; and (2) Offline Risk.

Key positive takeaways: Chrome OS:

● Cloud storage encouragement — enhances immediate organization

● Genuinely clean interface and direct to the task. Fast interactions.

● Most simple and fast system reformat — “powerwash” completed within a minute, all personal data were removed (I switched between stable, Beta and Alpha versions a couple times to test features)

● The device addresses all my personal offline needs. You simply have to be prepared — see Offline Risk below.

● Torrent extension worked well, thank you developers!

Cons of the Chrome OS

● USB connection to “media devices” is missing. My Kindle Paperwhite was not recognized. It is a rumoured future OS fix.

● Chromebook needs additional support from the development community. Although the App store experience is significantly more genuine than Windows’ mobile community, it still lacks depth and needs more useful applications.

● It lacks native Microsoft Exchange support. See Microsoft Office below.

Key positive features: HP Chromebook hardware

● Good battery life, I completed 5-6 hours of heavy use. The device did not noticeably heat up.

● Decent performance — I did not notice any terrible lag and I usually had a couple windows and/or “applications” open i.e. Google Music. However, I used basic functions: browser, crop and paste photos, torrent, Netflix, etc.

● Excellent weight and aesthetics, even its plastic body form was pleasing.

● Price point is $359 CAD including 12.5% tax for Canadian retail.

Cons of the HP Chromebook hardware

● Keyboard felt okay at best. This is a component where I truly felt the lower-quality plastic make. Hardware aesthetics are the first to be cut for design cost, but it is an important component. After all, our touch endorses our attachment to material possessions according to did Apple Store theory. It should not be “good enough”. Companies must look for more innovative and available materials.

● Trackpad was decent. It functioned well and was responsive to two finger scrolling. There were moments of slow reaction and forced clicking (nobody seems to be able to make a trackpad that’s comparable to Macs).

Results

The overall experience of the HP Chromebook was pleasant and it sufficiently completed my primary laptop tasks. The ultimate question is would I still carry my work laptop?

My criteria scores:

1. Lightweight, Compact form — 11"-13" screen

● Lightweight 8/10

● Compact form (thin/easy to travel/solid built) 7/10

2. Hardware standards (trackpad, keyboard, heat resilient/not loud)

● Trackpad 6/10

● Keyboard 5/10

● Heat 7/10

● Plastic case 7.5/10 (I am weird, I like the plastic case)

3. CPU power vs. price (Future-poof for 2-3 years, if not future-proof, then affordability priced)

● Option A: CPU power ( Samsung Exynos 5250 ) 6/10

● Option B: Price 9/10

4. Operating System

● Browser 10/10 — My best experience with Chrome Browser. Note: I do not use private browsing. Read this if you are concern about Google tracking.

● Easy to use 8/10 — Definitely easy but a change is necessary coming from Windows upbringing.

● Aesthetics 9/10 — The OS is beautifully designed. The “desktop” portion is a bit empty. Google has plans for it (keep reading below).

Areas I overlooked include screen quality, sound quality and video rendering. The reason is that I did not notice any uncomfortable moments from my two weeks experience in any of these areas. I am not a heavy video user but my usage of Netflix and Youtube did not experience any hindrance in screen resolution or sound quality.

There are better Chromebooks out in the market than the HP Chromebook. The keyboard needs improvement. However it was completely manageable for daily tasks. Check out the Verge’s review of the HP Chromebook.

I love the operating system for personal use. Simple and clean. I do warn of a learning curve coming from Windows. Our reliance on the start menu and file drop down might be an initial annoyance. However to answer my “ultimate” question, let’s review the two most pressing issues around Chrome OS.

Microsoft Office & Enterprise

The Microsoft Office is a true concern for all enterprise users using non-Windows. Even Mac users still experience second class citizenship with Microsoft i.e. communicator regresses to a first generation ICQ. Today, Chromebooks are restricted to Office 365's web interface. This is a concept still better on paper than in reality.

If you are willing, you can complete your Office tasks in Google Docs and then transfer the data components over. Yes, the formatting would need rework but it is a valid interim solution as it is a more pleasant user experience than the limited web Office instance. You can view Microsoft Office docs on the Chromebook, but native editing is not available.

The largest concern remains with the inefficiency of Microsoft’s Outlook web access. It is a limited experience and dangerously slow. A workaround is to forward your emails to Gmail but most enterprise would frown upon this security loophole. If you would need work emails on your personal laptop and your corporation uses Microsoft for corporate email, I would discourage the Chromebook. But if you must, the extension Chrome Remote Desktop does provide smooth functionality if you desire to access your work laptop through Chromebook.

I strongly disagree with the notion that Microsoft Office can kill Chromebook. I would be curious to the possibility of running virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) environment off of a Chromebook. Chromebook may not be the enterprise laptop but even today thin client devices and tablets running VDI interfaces are being experimented within many large corporations. Desktop-as-a-service is also receiving a lot of attention. Microsoft’s current captivity of the enterprise ecosystem cannot last if startup innovations continue. Ironically Microsoft is trying to encourage the VDI initiative through Windows 8.

Offline Risk

The first article I read on Chromebooks is related to traveling. I googled Chromebook and a PC Mag review popped up: The Frustrating Truth about Chromebook. The author wrote about her experience on two flight travels. Her requirement was a compact device for 5 hours of writing. In both instances she failed with the Chromebook:

1. She opened the Chromebook for the first time on the plane. She couldn’t connect to the internet to start any applications. She could not use it. 2. Semi-prepared for the second flight by at least installing the chrome note application. However she did not log in to the third party application and did not realize this requirement until she was on the plane. She could not use it.

The most significant item I picked up from this article is that she was extremely unprepared for an individual who reviews devices for a living. Chrome OS is a new and completely difficult OS from Windows or Macs, so there is bound to be a learning curve. I am amazed that she attempted to use a Chromebook on a plane for the first time. That is akin to runners wearing brand new shoes for a marathon!

Chromebooks are sold with the assumption that a valid internet connection is available. If you want to proclaim how efficient it functions without internet connection, you should be prepared for this experiment. This would mean being accustomed to the device with internet first.

In addition, this article was written in January 2013. Chrome OS and its applications have significantly evolved, yet this remains the top Google search article. If the author went back and tried with Google Keep today her experience would be vastly different. However, she does praise the form factor of the Chromebook and the general ease of use … with internet.

Laptops without internet for vast majority of individuals are locked to Microsoft Office or photo editing. Chromebook can function in many ways offline. However with proper preparation, it is a simple experience with offline Google Docs. I would be curious to measure how many times in a week I am truly offline. When I open my laptop it automatically connect to WiFi or else I could easy turn on hotspot. Basically, I would need to purposely disconnect myself from the web.

End Result

Yes, I would not carry my work laptop with a Chromebook. However from the start I did not intent to add my enterprise mail to a non-corporate laptop. The Chrome OS is a decent platform for preparing documentations and presentations. It passes my requirements.

Operating System: 8.5/10

HP Hardware: 6/10

Part III: Chromebook Tomorrow

In 2013, Chromebooks claim 10% of the laptop and tablet market in US, largely due to struggling Windows 8 sales. The market of personal computers grew only by 6% in 2013 yet Lenovo dominated the field despite Macs’ impressive growth. Lenovo was the only non-Apple manufacturer to improve their 2013 sales from 2012. How?

Lenovo came out with an impressive hardware called Lenovo Yoga, a hybrid of a tablet and Windows 8 laptop. A very pleasing keyboard — I would call it my favourite keyboard, in addition to a responsive touchscreen, and a light weight form factor. Impressively enough it stole from Mac Air’s price range clientele.

The main reason for its success is its pricing strategy for different Yoga models. For the average user, a $1000+ laptop is a luxury branded toy. Can you convince yourself it is necessary for work? If a $300-400 Chromebook serves your purpose, it is a savings of $700+. That is a round trip flight ticket from east coast North America to Europe.

Today, the 2014 released Chromebooks are equipped with the same CPU as your smartphones. I.e. Samsung Chromebook 2 carries a Samsung Exynos 5 Octa processor, the same as Samsung Galaxy Note 3. Most recently announced the updated 2014 Acer C720 and the new Dell Chromebook 11 will both carry an Intel Core i3 processor (8.5+ hours of fun). Regardless these are impressive chips going into a container for a browser. Impressively, Dell has stopped selling Chromebooks because Dell ran out of stock.

The evolution of the Chromebook since 2012 is in full throttle, as it really began as a simple browser. At Google’s developer I/O 2014 conference, Google has started wrapping the Chromebook into its Android Ecosystem:

● Native Android application access on Chromebook

● Chromebook login access via Android phones

● Texts and Hangout message streamed to Chromebook (iMessage copy)

● Android phone notifications as battery dying on Chromebooks

How typical of Google to throw out something mysterious and interesting and watch how the community digests the potential. Will the community carry Chromebook development out further than the netbook?

Chrome OS has the potential to dominate beyond affordable laptops. My friend’s computing option with Google was a Google Pixel which is by no means a budget laptop, starting at $1,200 retail (all thanks to brand, hardware specs, and comfort continuing to drive price margins).

The evolution of the Chrome OS is an exciting space. It returns to the original roots of Windows and Macs OS: a clean and simple interface, while allowing modifications from external 3rd Parties. Chrome OS is based on your own tastes and capability. Simple or complex, entirely clean from unnecessary applications, it is depended entirely on the consumer’s imagination.

If VDI evolves into its full potential and drives future enterprise support, Chromebooks can be leveraged as a hardware container. This would be a win-win situation for both consumer and enterprise. It is simply more affordable than current enterprise solutions with similar experience. In accordance to Moore’s Law and Moore’s second law, innovation will push for smaller form of existing technology and competition will continue to drive down price.

Closing: How ready is the Chromebook

An average user?

Yes, the budget Chromebook is ready today for the day to day user. The Chrome OS is redefining the balance between an affordable case and high performance for daily use. The common misunderstanding among “tech” forward individuals is the labeling of the Chrome OS of being “too simple” or “too basic”. Often it is forgotten why we fall in love with technology. It is because it is simple and basic, it is like magic. It just has to work.

My friend at Google is a network developer so he is probably using a Linux system regardless. Why not get a pretty container like a Mac Pro if the company is paying for it?

An enterprise user?

It is completely adequate for an enterprise user. But for a Microsoft user? Chromebook is coming soon.